Faculty in the University of Utah’s Division of Games are earning national recognition for their groundbreaking research, teaching, and leadership—setting the standard for excellence in games education and innovation.
A Culture of Excellence
The Division of Games is home to world-class faculty whose work bridges science, art, technology, and human creativity. Their contributions reach far beyond the classroom, advancing how games are designed, studied, and experienced around the world. Across research, teaching, and service, Division faculty are regularly honored with some of academia’s most prestigious awards, underscoring the Division’s reputation as one of the top programs in the nation for both scholarship and educational impact.
“Our faculty combine the rigor of research universities with the passion of creative studios.”
— Michael Young, Chair, Division of Games
National Recognition: Research at the Frontiers of Play
Two Division faculty have earned the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award, one of the nation’s highest honors for early-career researchers. These competitive awards support scholars who are not only conducting innovative research but also integrating that work into transformative educational experiences. From artificial intelligence in games to human-computer interaction and learning through play, these projects reflect the Division’s unique blend of technical excellence and human-centered inquiry—pushing the boundaries of what interactive systems can achieve.
Leadership in the Global Games Community
Four members of the faculty have been named Fellows of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA)—a distinction reserved for the most influential voices shaping games higher education internationally. HEVGA Fellows represent leadership, mentorship, and advocacy across the global academic games community. Their work has guided curriculum design, accreditation standards, and research collaboration between universities and industry partners around the world. These honors highlight the Division’s role as a thought leader in how games are taught, studied, and used to impact society.
Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship
Teaching excellence is woven into the DNA of the Division of Games. Among the Division’s 14 faculty, we have recipients from some of the University of Utah’s most distinguished honors for instruction and mentorship, including:
- 2 Presidential Teaching Awards – Recognizing faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence and innovation in teaching.
- 1 Early Career Teaching Award – Celebrating emerging educators whose creative approaches to learning inspire the next generation of students.
- 1 IEEE Outstanding Educator Award – Honoring exceptional leadership in advancing technical education in games, computing, and interactive media.
These awards affirm what students already know: that Division classrooms are places of discovery, experimentation, and deep engagement—where creative and technical mastery go hand-in-hand.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Behind every accolade lies a story of mentorship, collaboration, and the belief that games can change the world. The Division’s award-winning faculty model the blend of scholarly rigor, creative ambition, and public impact that defines the University of Utah’s approach to higher education. As the Division continues to grow through its Press Play Initiative and new faculty hires, these honors serve as both recognition and inspiration—proof that when great educators and researchers come together, their impact resonates far beyond the screen.